I HOPE that you will allow me to speak for thousands of Ealonians when I say how very much we will miss Stan James in the future.

As the chronicler of our citizen's deeds, and occasional misdeeds, he was the perfect professional and his depth of local knowledge was a priceless resource that may now sadly be lost.

He was - and is - a very fine photographer in addition to being an excellent photo-journalist and I am sure that he will not hang up his Hasselblad and that we will see the Great Stanley emerge in another guise before long.

In the meantime - thank you Stan for being the very best at your job and for always being a cheerful and sympathetic presence in the borough.

STEVE POUND

MP for Ealing North via email